Detox, an essential step before pregnancy?

If magazine covers are to be believed, detox cures seem to be the latest trend. Recommended by naturopaths, they are considered one of the essential conditions before pregnancy to give birth to a healthy baby. So, true or false? We help you get to the bottom of it!

The central role of the liver in our body

Detox or drainage is actually a concept developed by our ancestors, based on the idea that there must be a balance between the body's assimilation and elimination functions. The body needs to eliminate its waste and toxic residues to ensure proper functioning. This natural detox work is performed by one of our most important organs: the liver.

The liver performs a multitude of vital functions, including blood sugar control, fat storage, and blood filtration. It sorts everything that reaches it, whether it's food, the waste we produce, or the pollutants we ingest. It also captures toxins that enter our body when we smoke, take medications, or oral contraceptives…

Worrying studies

In recent years, studies have increasingly highlighted the alarming level of pollutants or toxins we ingest, and the conception period is no exception. We won't hide it from you, the results are far from reassuring…

A 2005 study notably detected 287 chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of babies. Among these chemicals, 180 are notable carcinogens, 217 are neurotoxins, and 208 are known to cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities.

The benefit of a detox cure

While the natural work of the liver is undeniable, it sometimes needs support, especially after excesses. A detox cure, often recommended in the spring, helps to improve and strengthen our body's natural detoxifying capacities while limiting the amount of toxins ingested and providing the body with the nutrients it needs to function optimally.

Before pregnancy, a detox cure is particularly recommended because it also helps eliminate synthetic hormones after contraceptive use and promotes good gut flora quality, which is essential for fertility and the baby's health.

As naturopath Aurélie Canzoneri explains: "It's often said that being pregnant is like doing a detox, because your baby will absorb and feed on everything your body has to offer and will take everything it can to develop, both good and bad… So, doing a detox before getting pregnant will then allow you to give only the good to your baby during pregnancy, because you will have gotten rid of all the bad beforehand."

Some basic advice

Be careful, this is not about doing a permanent detox cure. According to natural health experts, it is ideally recommended to follow a cure 2 to 3 months before getting pregnant. (Of course, this depends on your health, and it is, as always, preferable to have a check-up with your doctor beforehand. Your doctor may recommend preceding and/or following your detox cure with a revitalization phase to re-energize your body, which might be weakened. (Our detox dietary supplement is also a perfect complement to eliminate toxins, pollutants, and chemicals and start on a healthier foundation.)

It has been proven that in just a few days, significant amounts of toxins can be eliminated from our body, particularly herbicides and pesticides that we consume with our food.

However, a detox cure is strongly discouraged during pregnancy or breastfeeding. But don't panic, good habits can already be enough to limit toxins.

Good daily habits

- Opt for organic food as much as possible;
- Also prioritize organic or natural cosmetics and household cleaners;
- Sort through your surroundings and limit contact with plastic, which is now recognized to contain endocrine disruptors;
- Support the body's natural detoxification processes by consuming fiber for regular (daily) bowel movements, staying sufficiently hydrated, and exercising regularly;
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, use high-quality supplements, such as a prenatal multivitamin with pre-methylated folate (i.e., methylfolate and not folic acid).